MLB Player News

Kelly (biceps) signed a two-year deal with the White Sox on Saturday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Kelly strained his biceps while pitching for the Dodgers during the NLCS last fall, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be ready to go by Opening Day. He has the potential to fill a high-leverage role in the Chicago bullpen, as he owns a 2.67 ERA over the last two seasons and a 3.62 mark since becoming a full-time reliever in 2017. It would take multiple injuries or trades for him to get the chance to close, however, as the White Sox have an elite duo at the back of their bullpen in Liam Hendriks and Craig Kimbrel.

Oller and J.T. Ginn were traded from the Mets to the Athletics in exchange for Chris Bassitt on Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Oller is a 27-year-old who's yet to make his big-league debut, but he's potentially more interesting than most players who fit that description. He closed last season with a strong eight-start run for Triple-A Syracuse, cruising to a 2.45 ERA, though that came with a 10.2 percent walk rate and a merely above-average 24.3 percent strikeout rate.

Manager Tony La Russa said Saturday that he expects Kimbrel to be on the White Sox's Opening Day roster, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Kimbrel's team option for the 2022 season was picked up in early November, but he's still been a popular name in trade rumors during the offseason. After joining the White Sox prior to the trade deadline, the right-hander converted just one of four save opportunities with seven holds while posting a 5.09 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 23 innings across 24 appearances. However, Kimbrel was electric with the Cubs earlier in the year, converting 23 of 25 save chances with a 0.49 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 36.2 innings. Despite his late-season struggles in 2021, Kimbrel would likely have plenty of job security as another team's closer if the White Sox end up trading him.

Henriquez and Isiah Kiner-Falefa were traded from the Rangers to the Twins in exchange for catcher Mitch Garver on Saturday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Henriquez advanced to Double-A Frisco during the 2021 season and recorded a 5.04 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 69.2 innings across 16 appearances (11 starts). The right-hander will likely begin the 2022 campaign at Double-A Wichita but is a part of the 40-man roster, so he'll have a chance to progress quickly if he performs well early in the year.

Vasquez signed a contract with the Blue Jays on Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Vasquez has made 12 relief appearances in the majors with the Twins and Dodgers across the last four seasons. The southpaw spent most of last season at the Triple-A level, and he posted a 3.54 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 79:24 K:BB in 48.1 innings. He'll likely serve as a low-leverage reliever for the Blue Jays in 2022.

Daniel will serve as a non-roster invitee during spring training in 2022.

Daniel advanced to Triple-A Salt Lake in 2021, but he faced some struggles against the improved competition and unforgiving ballparks of Triple-A West. The right-hander made five appearances (four starts) and posted a 10.29 ERA and 2.05 WHIP in 21 innings. He'll now have a chance to develop with the big-league coaching staff this spring and will likely be in the mix to make his major-league debut at some point in 2022 as long as he can display improved results with the Bees.

Ward (elbow) threw Friday as he makes his way back from Tommy John surgery, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Ward underwent the procedure in early June of last year. A typical recovery timeline would give him a chance to pitch late in the upcoming season, though he's unlikely to throw a significant number of innings.

Mengden signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Tuesday.

Mengden spent last season with the KBO's Kia Tigers, finishing with a 3.60 ERA in 21 starts. Prior to that, the 29-year-old righty spent parts of five seasons with Oakland, recording a passable but unexciting 4.64 ERA in 302.2 innings. He's been decent enough that he definitely has a chance to provide rotation depth for the Royals this season, but his career 17.3 percent strikeout rate makes him little more than an innings eater without much fantasy upside.

Canterino resumed throwing live bullpen sessions at the Twins' minor-league camp Feb. 25 and appears to have made a full recovery from the right elbow strain that ended his 2021 season in mid-August, Aaron Gleeman and Dan Hayes of The Athletic report.

The same injury sidelined Canterino on two occasions in 2021, but both he and the Twins training staff seemed to be comfortable with his health heading into the upcoming season after he experienced no issues during his first live bullpen session in six months. A second-round draft choice of the Twins in 2019 following a prolific three-year college career at Rice, Canterino leaned on a mid-90s fastball and two plus off-speed offerings to generate excellent results in his first taste of full-season ball in 2021. Between stops at Low-A Fort Myers and High-A Cedar Rapids, the 24-year-old right-hander struck out 45 batters over 23 innings and held opposing hitters to a .125 average.

Poche (elbow) said Saturday that he received clearance to resume pitching ahead of fall instructionals, and he expects to be a full participant when the MLB lockout ends and big leaugers report to spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 28-year-old hasn't pitched in a competitive setting since the 2019 postseason after undergoing the second Tommy John surgery of his career in July 2020. The track record of pitchers returning from two reconstructive elbow injuries isn't a promising one, so the Rays could still look to limit his usage this spring out of an abundance of caution. When he was last healthy during his rookie season in the majors, Poche was one of the top strikeout artists among relievers, whiffing 34.8 percent of the batters he faced.